(CNN) - The percentage of Americans who identify themselves as political independents is at an all-time high and the number who identify as Republicans is at an all-time low, according to new numbers by Gallup.

Forty-two percent of Americans identified themselves as independents last year, the highest level Gallup's measured since it switched from in-person to telephone interviews a quarter century ago.

Washington (CNN) - A majority of independent voters said they would vote for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney or lean toward Romney in a hypothetical 2012 matchup against President Barack Obama, a new poll says.

Fully 54% of independent voters surveyed by the Pew Research Center said they would support Romney, while fewer, 41%, said they would choose the president.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - Criticism of President Obama's $3.7 trillion 2012 budget from both the left and right is a sign that it will probably find favor with independents, an expert on the influential voting bloc said.

"Independent voters believe if the far right and the far left are both upset, it's usually a sign that someone's doing something right," said John Avlon, a CNN contributor and author of the book "Independent Nation: How Centrism Can Change American Politics."Full Story

Washington (CNN) - The current ruckus over building an Islamic center and mosque near ground zero, calls to change the 14th Amendment and other so-called "wedge" issues are roiling up each party's base, but they're turning off independents, analysts say.

Washington (CNN) - Some national Republicans Wednesday morning are touting a new Gallup poll that indicates a further erosion of independent support for President Barack Obama.

According to the Gallup survey, 38 percent of independent voters approve of the job Obama's doing in the White House, down 18 points from last July. Gallup notes that this is the first time the president's approval rating among independents has dropped below 40 percent.

The survey also notes that among Democrats, Obama's approval rating stands at 81 percent, while only 12 percent of Republicans give the president a thumbs up.